Summer vacation has begun…
Promises and dreams of lazy days, fun with friends and family time.
Schedules are forgotten – instead pool time, barbecues, suntan lotion, lightening bugs and a day of play are the only agenda items that should be on the minds of all kids!
For two boys – two former students – their agendas have become broken, disjointed and out of sync with anything a 9 or 10 year old should be thinking about during the summer. Shattered dreams, sudden loss and a new story line mark the passage of life for their young lives – both lost their moms in tragic accidents – both lost a piece of their normal – both lost the center of their worlds!
I took a week to process this news because my heart is cracking with the weight of what these two boys are faced with. My first reaction was not grace-filled but instead an angry red – blazing fiery and threatening to boil over – blinding my vision. My momma tiger instincts kicked in and I paced with a desire to protect as a momma does for her cubs. How do I heal their broken hearts, how do I assure them they will be okay, how do they continue with their story?
All children need to be nurtured, loved and supported by the adults in their lives. All children need to know they matter and believe they have the potential to achieve their dreams. All adults are challenged to build the stories of their own children or all others they interact with. God blessed me with the gift of teaching over 30 years ago and it has been my honor to love the hundreds of children that have passed through my doorway. For when the day is done, we all want to go to sleep knowing we are loved and we matter. We are all truly broken but beautiful!
God is the mirror that guides us through our stories. His reflection of love and grace strengthens and empowers us to live the story as He planned for us. May we all be the reflection of God’s mirror to others in our lives. Will you join me in loving all children – speaking into their hearts to affirm their stories are important and they have the power to build their stories into something beautiful?
Blessings,
Mary
Blessed to be linking with:
Mary … you are such a protector, nurturer, advocate for our little ones. May God give you continued overflowing courage, joy, and energy as you do so …
Weekend restful blessings, friend.
Thanks Linda! God blessed me with the gift of teaching over 30 years ago and I’m so lucky to have my job also be my passion. I know I am honoring God when I do everything I can for the kids that walk through my classroom door. Keep praying for all kids – so many are handed lives that are not in their control.
Mary, joining you in praying for these young boys at this tragic time. May God continue to use you greatly in the lives of your students. Blessings!
Thank you for joining me in prayer. I pray each day that my work honors God and that I do my best for my students. Blessed you stopped by, Joanne!
Mary, oh sweet Mary. Never stop being you. You are a bright light of love to so many.
I am praying for the boys too. I started to think oh I can’t imagine how they feel, which surprised me, because I lost my dad to death at age 9. I guess what that tells me is that time does make room for God to heal us in the deepest parts of what we go through right after it happens.
I pray that they turn to God in every single moment through the years. That He is always there and they know it, in those tiny secret moments of pain.
{{Hugs}}
Beautiful prayer, Heather! I love what you learned about healing and how God has touched those deepest parts in your own life. Blessed you stopped by and thankful that you understand my heart.
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Blessed you stopped by, friend! Prayers for you for perseverance in your current endeavor!
I’m so sorry to hear this, Mary. But I’m grateful for your “mama tiger” instincts that leap into action to help them. Do you have some ideas about how you can reach out to them and offer comfort and support? Just curious, since as a teacher, I’m sure you feel a bond to these boys that the average adult in their life might not have and probably have a long list of proactive measures you could take to help them. I do hope that they will welcome your efforts and be blessed by your prayers and concern for them. I will lift them up in prayer as well. Hugs to you!
Thank you Beth for joining me in prayer! A fellow teacher and I who shared siblings are praying intently that God will guide us in a way to be able to specifically help the children. Even though we have a relationship with the children, many times are hands are tied in what we are able to do. Praying is our best line of support and help right now. Blessed by your support!
What a tragedy! I will be praying for these precious boys, Mary. You are a wonderful, loving teacher. Suffering children have such a special place in my heart. I will definitely join you :)!
Thanks Candace! Praying for all children should be part of our daily prayers. As my heart is breaking, God is taking over and providing the healing that is needed. Blessed you stopped by!
Mary, so beautifully said! What a wonderful reminder that we are “mothers” to our students. Really….beautiful.
Terri – I know both our hearts are breaking and I know the only thing that we can do is pray! These kids will have our prayers and love everyday! Love you friend!
So sorry to hear about those boys losing their mothers. What a terrible experience they’ve had to endure. Prayers sent!
Thank you for joining me in prayer! Such a tragedy but I know God will provide healing and comfort to all during this time! Blessed you stopped by!
Mary, thanks for sharing your loss. Prayers and healing to you and to the children who lost that someone special in their lives. Hope the watery currents of the Atlantic wash away your fears, frustrations, and sadness and replace them with reassurance, love, and peace.
Thanks John! The ocean has always been a calm, healing place for me! Love to you and the family!